Vaughn Continues Recent Eagle Tailback Traditions

Vaughn, Ashland's season-long starter who has 399 yards and five touchdowns rushing and 167 yards and one TD receiving, has scored at least one rushing touchdown in four consecutive games. If he rushes for a TD on Saturday (Oct. 7) at 1 p.m. for No. 18 Ashland (4-1 overall, 3-0 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) at Northern Michigan, he will become the first Eagle to do so in five straight contests since Vance Settlemire in the final five games of the 2015 campaign.

As Ashland's third-leading receiver with 14 catches through five games, Vaughn also is keeping Settlemire's pace in that regard, as well. Settlemire was third on the team with 31 grabs in 2015, and fifth with 20 receptions in 2016.

Vaughn already has caught as many passes this fall as he did in all of 2016.

Eagles Better With The Ball In The Air

Ashland's defense has four interceptions through five games in 2017 – one more than in 11 games in 2016.

The Eagle "D" has improved in several statistical categories where the pass is concerned:

SEASON

CMP. %

YDS/CMP.

PASS EFF.

2017

49.3

12.5

106.72

2016

57.7

12.7

130.17

Gaining Ground On Kickoffs

Thanks to senior cornerback Dale Irby's 29.2-yard average and junior wide receiver Kamaron Green's 26.8-yard average, along with solid coverage the other way, Ashland has a +5.4-yard-per-return advantage on kickoff returns so far this season – 25.9 per return for, 20.5 per return against.

In 2016, the Eagles had a deficit of 2.8 yards per kickoff return (21.1 per return for, 23.9 per return against).

Ashland's Active Division II Career Leaders

Entering Week 6, the following Eagles are among NCAA Division II's top 10 active career leaders:

Former Ashland University All-Americans Jamie Meder (defensive tackle) and Adam Shaheen (tight end) are scheduled to play in Week 5 of the 2017 National Football League season for the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears, respectively.

Meder, who started at defensive tackle in Week 4 at home vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, has been listed on the Browns' injury report as being a limited practice participant due to a toe injury. Cleveland plays on Sunday (Oct. 8) at 1 p.m. at home vs. the New York Jets.

Shaheen and the Bears will play on Monday (Oct. 9) Night Football at 8:30 p.m. at home vs. the Minnesota Vikings.